Russell Crowe’sMaster and Commanderis based on a book series, but despite so much material available for adaptation, it has no sequel.Master and Commanderis one of manystandalone movies with great sequel potentialthat have not continued their stories, but for a war movie, this is not surprising.The best war movies of all timeoften don’t get sequels given the nature of their stories, which are usually self-contained. Still, there are many other reasons why a successful movie would not have a sequel.
ManyA-list actors do not appear in franchises very often, including Russell Crowe before he was cast forThe Pope’s Exorcist 2, in which he will reprise his role as Father Gabriele Amorth. Most of Russell Crowe’s movies have been standalone films, and thoughGladiatorfinally got a sequel over 20 years later, he did not appear in it. Still, Russell Crowe has starred in several films that could have gotten follow-ups had they performed better, likeRobin Hood. That said, one of the most painful of Crowe’s missing sequels isMaster and Commander.
Russell Crowe’s Master & Commander Should’ve Been A Movie Series
Master And Commander’s Ending Was Clearly Set Up For A Sequel
Master and Commanderwas adapted from a series of novels by the naval enthusiast Patrick O’Brian, and its attention to detail made it one ofthe greatest military tactical war movies of all time. While war movies often focus on brute force,Master and Commandertook a different approach by showing the value of fighting smarter rather than harder. Russell Crowe’s performance was widely praised as his character, Captain Jack Aubrey, transformed from an inexperienced captain to a formidable commander.Master and Commanderended with a sequel hook, and the movie could have begun a series.
WhileMaster and Commanderreceived ten Academy Award nominations, it only won two after being overshadowed byLord of the RingsandPirates of the Caribbean.
WhileCaptain Jack Aubrey was a respected tactician by the end ofMaster and Commander, the ending showed that he could still make mistakes. Aubrey believed that the captain of the French ship,Acheron,had been killed, but he was fooled by the captain, who was posing as the ship’s surgeon.Master and Commanderends with Aubrey realizing his mistake and the HMSSurpriseturning to pursue theAcheronagain.Master and Commander’sdisappointing cliffhanger endingshould have been resolved in a series of sequels, while the discussed prequel could have given viewers more of Russell Crowe.
Russell Crowe’s Epic Movies Peaked With Gladiator & Master & Commander
Russell Crowe’s Later Epics Have Divided Audiences And Critics
Russell Crowe is one of the most prolific actors of the 21st century, and he has appeared in big movies from all genres. Mostmovies that defined Russell Crowe’s careerare epics, and his career high was arguably between 2000 and 2002 when he was nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award three years in a row.Crowe won his Oscar for playing the general-turned-gladiator Maximus inGladiator, which was less historically accurate thanMaster and Commanderbut similarly well-received. After these two films, Crowe’s action movies appear to have peaked, with his later films dividing audiences.
Roger Ebertfelt that Crowe was “miscast” inLes Miserables.
WhileGladiatorandMaster and Commanderare two ofRussell Crowe’s best movies, his later epic tales were much more divisive. That said,Crowe’s performances have rarely been criticized, with the failure of the movies appearing due to other factors.Roger Ebertfelt that Crowe was “miscast” inLes Miserables, which struggled to transition from the stage to the screen.Noahhad the potential to be timeless, but it was unclear whether it was trying to be an action-packed movie or something deeper. Crowe has recently been in a few action and horror films that didn’t receive great reviews either
Russell Crowe Movie Sequels Shouldn’t Happen Without Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe Could Return For A Master & Commander Sequel (But Not A Prequel)
Russell Crowe has such a powerful screen presence that he is ofteninseparable from the characters he has played. While it was the right decision not to bring the dead Maximus back for theGladiatorsequel, Crowe was the defining image of the original movie, and his presence was missed. AfterGladiator II,it is now impossible to imagine aMaster and Commandersequel without Russell Crowe, as his performance was one of the best parts of the movie.
Russell Crowe’s 2003 War Movie With 85% On Rotten Tomatoes Is The Best Tactical Military Movie Of All Time
Master and Commander is Russell Crowe’s award-winning epic, which realistically portrays naval warfare and shows how a smart commander can triumph.
When 20th Century Studios boss Steve Asbell was asked about aMaster and Commanderprequel, he toldThe Hollywood Reporter, “We have a great script. It just needs the right director.” While this is great news for fans of the books, it is less optimistic for Russell Crowe. It’s been over 20 years since the original film, so it’s difficult to imagine how the original cast would be able to return. This is why I believe the best way to revisitMaster and Commanderis through a sequel starring Russell Crowe, even if this doesn’t seem very likely to happen.
